Clay Aiken’s Congressional Opponent Dead

A day ahead of expected results, Keith Crisco passes unexpectedly

Results were expected tomorrow in the previously too-close-to-call Democratic primary election North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, but Clay Aiken now appears set to win after his opponent died unexpectedly.

Early reports suggest that local entrepreneur Keith Crisco, 71, passed away after a fall at his Asheboro home around 1 p.m. on Monday. According to the Asheboro Courier-Tribune, Crisco was dead by the time emergency workers arrived at his home.

The Wrap reports that counties in the district had been collecting votes throughout the past week, and that Aiken led by only 369 votes. In a statement released last Wednesday, Crisco said that he was not willing to concede, but after his passing, it seems Aiken will go on to battle Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers in the election for the House of Representatives seat.